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Mobile Offshore Platform for Wind Turbine Power Generation

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 		Award ID:
91845 		Program Year/Program:
2009 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
08SB2-0849 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Applied Physical Sciences Corp.
475 Bridge Street Suite 100 Groton, CT -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2009
Title: Mobile Offshore Platform for Wind Turbine Power Generation
Agency / Branch: DOD / DARPA
Contract: W31P4Q-09-C-0253
Award Amount: $98,969.00
 

Abstract:

There is a Department of Defense need for a persistent, mobile power generating capability to service offshore bases and other temporary or mobile installations. In order to facilitate both persistence and mobility, the present concept is of a free floating wind turbine platform, convertible from generating mode to transit mode. Challenges to design of this concept include stability, seakeeping, convertibility, and dynamic positioning. The most significant challenge is to overcome the large aerodynamic drag which is necessarily associated with power extraction from the wind. With conventional thrusters, the power required to overcome the aerodynamic drag is larger than the power generated by the turbine up through moderate wind speeds. Lacking a mooring system to maintain position, alternative concepts to counter the drag must be considered to realize surplus power through a significant range of conditions. The proposed concept seeks to counter aerodynamic turbine drag with passive propulsion, utilizing the motion of the platform response in waves to generate hydrodynamic thrust. Dynamic positioning, required for the platform to maintain station within 25 feet, can include elements of passive propulsion in thrust vectoring to further reduce power consumption.

Principal Investigator:

Benjamin Connell
Principal Scientist
8604483253
bconnell@aphysci.com

Business Contact:

David Horne
Sr Vice President/CFO
8604483253
dhorne@aphysci.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

APPLIED PHYSICAL SCIENCES CORP.
475 Bridge Street Suite 100 Groton, CT 06340

EIN/Tax ID: 010655626
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No